| The capital of the province is situated on the triangle of sand
formed by the confluence of the river Tinto and river Odiel, on the
shore of the estuary of the same name, in a zone of great natural
interest given that in the surrounding AREAs are of enormous ecological
significance due to their faunistic and botanical diversity.
The city has always been linked to the events related to the Discovery
and conquest of America. Today it is still the town in Andalusia
with the greatest Latin-American vocation as the annual holding
of the Latin-American Film Festival and all manner of acts related
to that continent proves. Nearby is the Rabida Monastery and port
of Palos from where Christopher Columbus departed.
The city preserves many architectonic and urbanistic characteristics
which bear witness to its history and the evolution of what, according
to some studies, was the cradle of the mythical Tartessos: the Cathedral,
the church of the Concepción, St Peter's church, the Angustias
Convent, the Sanctuary of Ntra. Sra. de la Cinta, the Monument to
Columbus, the Grand Theatre and the Reina Victoria district, an
example of English architecture built due to the working of the
mines in the province by companies from that country. The mineral
loading platform is also left over from this mining activity and
is an interesting work of engineering.
Historical notes:
It has been verified from remains found that there was already
mining activity in Huelva in the Bronze Age, although there are
also traces of prior human settlements.
Recent archaeological studies confirm that it was precisely here,
in the confluence of the river Tinto and river Odiel, that the heart
of Tartessos and its civilization was located. Later, in the VII
and V centuries BC, Phoenicians and Carthaginians who worked the
silver mines settled in the town.
From Roman times there are references from classical historians,
like the Itinerant Antonino, who speaks of a road that went from
the mouth of the Guadiana, in the direction of Merida, and on which
were located various mints which minted coins. Indeed, around the
year 194 BC the town was taken by the Romans who called it Onuba.
During Al-Andalus times, Huelva must have been an important town
whose port was open to Africa and to commerce with Algeciras, Malaga
and Seville. Nevertheless, control of the AREA of Huelva was created,
an event that contributed to the growth of the town which still
maintains itself as an important industrial centre.
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